2027

5 National Days to Celebrate on May 18, 2027

National days, ongoing national weeks and months, and global observances for May 18, 2027. Plus historical events and birthdays.

2027
NATIONAL NO DIRTY DISHES DAY  May 18

National No Dirty Dishes Day

May 18, 2027 celebrates National No Dirty Dishes Day, plus 4 more. National No Dirty Dishes Day on May 18 suggests taking a break from your regular daily routine that involves washing dishes! Celebrating today means you get to eat out or order in to avoid doing any dishes today.

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NATIONAL CHEESE SOUFFLE DAY  May 18

National Cheese Souffle Day

Each year on May 18, we celebrate National Cheese Soufflé Day. This tasty food holiday presents opportunity to enjoy the delicious French delight known as the cheese soufflé! Bon Appétit!

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NATIONAL VISIT YOUR RELATIVES DAY  May 18

National Visit Your Relatives Day

Today is May 18 and we encourage all family members to stay connected during National Visit Your Relatives Day. Life is much too short not to make time for family, especially for those we have not seen or spoken to for a while.

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NATIONAL HIV VACCINE AWARENESS DAY  May 18

National Hiv Vaccine Awareness Day

Each year on May 18, National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day recognizes thousands of volunteers, community members, health professionals, and scientists who work together to find a safe and effective HIV vaccine.

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National Sun Responsibly Day

On May 18, we step into the light with a new mission: National Sun Responsibly Day. This day isn't about hiding in the shadows; it’s about empowering everyone to enjoy the great outdoors with the knowledge and habits that save lives. This May 18, let's show the world that you can catch the rays and enjoy the outdoors by taking responsibility to protect our skin.

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Born on May 18

People born on May 18

1852
GK

Gertrude Käsebier

Famous photographer known for her images of motherhood, Native Americans portraits, and her support and promotion of women who chose photography as a career.

1855
FB

Francis Bellamy

Author of the original Pledge of Allegiance (1892).

1886
JM

Jeanie MacPherson

Actress, screenwriter and founding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

1889
TM

Thomas Midgley Jr.

Chemist who helped develop "leaded" gasoline.

1911
BJ

Big Joe Turner

Blues and R&B singer famously known for his hit Shake, Rattle and Roll.

1912
PC

Perry Como

Easy-listening singer and television host of several weekly shows and seasonal specials.

1917
BE

Bill Everett

Cartoon illustrator who worked side-by-side with Stan Lee co-creating Zombie and Daredevil.

1946
RJ

Reggie Jackson

MLB right-fielder and HOF'er who is considered on of the greatest baseball players of all time.

1948
DC

Diane Crump

The first woman to race in Kentucky Derby.

1950
MM

Mark Mothersbaugh

Lead singer of the new wave rock band Devo.

1952
GS

George Strait

Country singer dubbed "King George."

1967
NJ

Nancy Juvonen

Co-founded Flower Films.

1970
TF

Tina Fey

Comedian and actress with lead roles in Baby Mama (2008), Date Night (2010), and Wine Country (2019), to name a few.

Historical Events on May 18

Events that occurred on May 18 throughout history

1652

Slavery is abolished in Rhode Island.

Slavery is abolished in Rhode Island, although the law was not enforced. By the mid-1700s, Rhode Island had a slave population double that of other New England colonies, which was a hub for the slave trade. The Gradual Emancipation Act of 1784 mandated that children born to enslaved mothers after March 1, 1784, were free. However, in order for mothers to keep their children, they had to serve the slave owner as an "apprentice". Slavery was fully eradicated in Rhode Island by 1842.

1852

Massachusetts rules that all school-aged children must attend school.

Parents were mandated to send children to school for a minimum of 12 weeks a year, with 6 of those weeks being consecutive attendance. This act compelled parents to ensure their children attended school though most towns were already required to provide schools. The Massachusetts law served as the model for other states to adopt their own legislation.

1869

Robert Freeman become the first Black to graduate from Harvard Dental School.

Robert Tanner Freeman was the some of enslaved parents who became the first African American to graduate from Harvard Dental School in and the first person in the U.S. to earn a dental degree. He overcame racial rejection from other institutions to join Harvard's inaugural 1867 class.

1869

Robert Freeman become the first Black to graduate from Harvard Dental School.

Robert Tanner Freeman was the some of enslaved parents who became the first African American to graduate from Harvard Dental School in and the first person in the U.S. to earn a dental degree. He overcame racial rejection from other institutions to join Harvard's inaugural 1867 class.

1934

Trans-World Airlines (TWA) begins commercial service.

TWA was created in 1930 through a merger involving Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT) and Western Air Express. The company was famous for its early, rapid coast-to-coast passenger and mail service in a single day. By February 1946, TWA inaugurated its first scheduled transatlantic service from New York to Paris.

1953

Jacqueline Cochran becomes the first woman to break the sound barrier.

At the age of 47, Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran became the first woman to break the sound barrier at an average speed of 652.337 mph. She was pioneering aviator, wartime leader of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), and held more speed, altitude, and distance records than any other pilot at her death in 1980.

1965

Ray Dolby founds Dolby Laboratories.

Engineer and physicist Ray Dolby founded Dolby Laboratories in London in 1965. He revolutionized audio technology, invented the Dolby noise-reduction system to eliminate background hiss in tape recording, and invented surround sound in cinemas. His inventions transformed the audio experience for music, film, and television.

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